By Kolade Oni

0

Nov 24, 2012 06:47:00

The reigning NPL champions have the honour to take the opening match of the tournament

Despite late minute pressure, the 2012/2013 Kaduna State Annual Pre-Season tournament will kick off Saturday afternoon with impressive fixtures, a top official of the organising committee has revealed to Goal.com.

It was speculated earlier that various factors could force a shift in the starting date of the competition but the tournament head of media, Zakari Haruna Isa in a chat with Goal.com explained that two clubs: Kwara United and Enyimba of Aba withdrew and were replaced with other two teams.

The tourney will start today and end on the 28th of November.

In the draws conducted by the organisers and witnessed by club chairmen of participating teams on Friday night, Kano Pillars will slug it out with Ranchers Bees while Ranchers Bees' Feeders will lock horns with Kaduna United this afternoon by 2pm at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Zaria and Kaduna Township Stadium respectively.

In the other matches billed for 4pm this evening,Dynamic Sporting Solution(DSS) will face Taraba United in a titanic battle between two National League teams as Mighty Jets and Wikki Tourists rekindle old rivalry.

Both matches will also take place at Ahmadu Bello Stadium and Kaduna Township Stadium in that order.

Isa in a chat with Goal.com further said that the sponsor, Hon. Abdulazeez Mohammed who triples as the Kaduna State's commissioner for sports, general manager Ranchers Bees and a board member of the NPL said has earmarked ways to ensure that the competition gets international appeal next season.

Eight clubs are participating in the tournament and it will be held yearly the organisers have told Goal.com.The tourney is expected to be rounded off on Wednesday 28th November,2012 with mouth watering incentives as take home for the winners.